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•CITY i:iBaAR¥ ;,„ iffiiijfn 7OT ?INGF1ELD, MASS> siJ^r^ 312066 0344 2011 8 ANNUAL REPORT oftheQomHorofthe Virg'm Jslands to theSecretaryofthe m. 1 tsit Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Boston Library Consortium IVIember Libraries http://www.archive.org/details/annualreportofgo1950virg of the Governor of the Virgin Islands to the Secretary of the Interior Fiscal Tear Ended June jo, igjo STACK UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES Morris F. de Castro Govtmor UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. - Price IS cents CONTENTS Page Public finance and taxation 4 Real property 5 Housing 6 Personnel administration 7 Agriculture 8 Commerce and shipping 9 Education 11 Health and sanitation 13 Social welfare 15 Police and prison administration 16 Tourism 17 Public works ^ 18 Public utilities 19 Labor and labor relations 20 Virgin Islands cooperative 21 Legislation 21 Political advancement 22 Conclusion 23 m Annual Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands Morris F. de Castro, Governor -k ik -U ANOTHER FOEWAED STEP in the process of self-government L in the Virgin Islands was made on March 24, 1950, when Morris F. de Castro, a Virgin Islander, was inaugurated as Governor. Gov- ernor de Castro a career official of 30 years government service in the islands, and the Government secretary of the islands since 1945, was appointed by the President of the United States to fill the vacancy created when William H. Hastie resigned to accept appointment as a judge in the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. During his 3% years incumbency. Governor Hastie made outstanding contribu- tions to good and progressive government in the islands. In his inaugural address, the new Governor emphasized the impor- tance of self-support and self-dependence and outlined a program including setting up of a planning agency, creation of a labor depart- ment and a department of commerce, statutory organization of execu- tive departments, developing new sources of revenue; reduction of government expenditures, promotion of agriculture, provision of better educational facilities, enlargement of the health program, re- view of real property tax assessments including measures to hasten the development of unused but potentially valuable land, and promo- tion of tourism. He outlined needed congressional legislation: (1) to provide a Eesident Commissioner, (2) to return to the Virgin Islands the proceeds of the Federal internal revenue taxes on products of the Virgin Islands, (3) to authorize National Guard units, (4) to transfer the agricultural station to the Department of Agriculture, (5) to extend the Social Security Act to the islands, (6) to appropriate funds for authorized harbor dredging in St. Thomas and harbor improvements in St. Croix. Many members of Congress and high executive officials visited the islands. Members of a subcommittee of the Ways and Means Com- mittee of the House of Eepresentatives, under the chairmanship of A. Sidney Camp, held hearings in the islands on the social security law. Members of a subcommittee of the Education and Labor Com- mittee of the House of Eepresentatives, under the chairmanship of John Lesinslri, held hearings in the islands on wage and educational problems. Senator Edward Leahy, Senator Hugh Butler, and Con- 1 2 -f Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands gressman Fred Crawford also made exhaustive studies in the islands of the islands' economic and administrative problems. The Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Chairman of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Virgin Islands Corporation in the islands. The Director of Territories and other officers of the Office of Territories made several trips to the islands. Increasing interest in the affairs of the Virgin Islands has thus been amply demonstrated. While the Virgin Islands still face serious social and economic problems, considerable progress was made during the year on all fronts. Congress extended to the Virgin Islands the benefit of the Vocational Education Act of 1946. Congress also passed legislation to enable the Virgin Islands to participate in the Federal housing and redevelopment program. Congress also extended to the islands the public assistance and insurance provisions of the Social Security Act. These legislative actions will bring to the islands, for the first time, some of the major social benefits which American citizens on the main- land have enjoyed for many years, but which American citizens of these insular possessions have not heretofore received. The tourist industry, which holds great promise for the improve- ment of the economic stability of the islands, expanded considerably during the year and groundwork was laid for the first constructive and professional program which these islands have known. In this industry, the islands will develop an expanded economy based on its God-given assets of perfect climate and natural beauty. A new hotel was opened, also many smaller guest houses and shops catering to the tourist trade. Construction of a modern 130-room luxury hotel in St. Thomas, by private capital, advanced considerably and it should be opened by the Fall of 1950. Under the President's reorganization progTam the administration of the Virgin Islands Public Works Program, authorized in Public Law 510, Seventy-eighth Congress, was transferred to the Depart- ment of the Interior, and assigned to the Office of Territories. This transfer of jurisdiction has already tended to accelerate the execution of the program and improve coordination of the various activities. The salt water fire protection and sanitary sewer facilities and intercepting sewer in Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, and Fred- eriksted were substantially completed. The potable water facilities for St. Thomas and St. Croix are nearing completion. The airstrips at the Alexander Hamilton Field in St. Croix and at the newly re- named Harry S. Truman Airport in St. Thomas were resurfaced. A contract was awarded for extensive waterfront improvement in St. Thomas, and work will begin during the next fiscal year. Contracts Avere also let for telephone communication facilities in St. Thomas and Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands > 3 St. Croix. The abattoir at St. Thomas has been completed and is in operation by private enterprise through a lease negotiated with the Municipality of St. Thomas and St. John. Several highways in St. Thomas and St. Croix have been reconstructed and improved, includ- ing the highway from the Harry S. Truman Airport to the city of Charlotte Amalie. This highway has been named the Charles Har- wood Highway in honor of Governor Charles Harwood (1941-46) who initiated the public works program. During the next fiscal year, emphasis will be placed on plans for and construction of hospital and educational facilities in St. Thomas and St. Croix, and further highway improvements on all islands. In view of the limited credit facilities in the Virgin Islands, the local government requested the President of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York to survey the potentialities and possibilities for the establishment of a Federal savings and loan association in the Virgin Islands. The proposal was approved by the Board of Direc- tors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, and the survey was conducted in the islands by three directors. The survey resulted in a complete report on all phases of the local economy. The com- mittee found that additional financing facilities were needed in the Virgin Islands, but recommended that efforts to establish a Federal savings and loan association in the islands should be suspended until the local economy has shown more improvement. Despite limitations on the funds appropriated to the Virgin Islands Corporation, a small credit program was inaugurated for crop pro- duction, water and soil conservation, and industrial and commercial loans. This should prove to be a stimulant not only to the development of the tourist industry, but to more extensive agricultural diversifica- tion and improvement. This program should be expanded as an important means toward making the Virgin Islands self-sufficient. A combination of unusually good rainfall conditions and improved agricultural practices enabled the Virgin Islands Corporation to produce the largest sugar crop in decades. Supervised by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, the seventeenth decennial census was taken in the Virgin Islands during the month of April 1950. The preliminary count re- veals a total population in the Virgin Islands of 26,654 as compared with 24,889 in 1940, an increase of 1,765. The increase was principally in St. Thomas where the population was reported to be 13,811, as compared with 11,265 in 1940. There was a slight decrease in St. Croix from 12,902 in 1940 to 12.096 in 1950. In St. John the popula- tion was reported as 747 as against 722 in 1940. In the capital of the Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie, the population increased from 9,801 in 1940 to 11,463 in 1950. 4 > Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands Public Finance and Taxation Ever since the acquisition of the Virgin Islands by the United States in 1917, there has been a definite and natural trend towards adopting the American Way of Life with its improved standard of living. However, with the enactment of the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands in 1936, and its concomitant benefit of universal suf- frage, there has been a social and political awakening which has re- sulted in acceleration of the movement towards a higher standard of living. Vigorous efforts have been made by the local government to afford more and better education, health, and social services. As in continental United States, this program of advancement has necessi- tated an expansion of governmental activities and a consequent in- crease in government expenditures. The increased cost of government has called forth increased local taxation with generous contributions from the Congress. The marked improvement in the quality of public services rendered fully justifies the increased cost of government. It is the policy of the administration to pursue this expanded pro- gram with strict economy. A considerable effort was made this year to limit the personnel needed to administer the public services with- out iinj curtailment in efficiency. The budget proposals for the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John for the fiscal year 1951, as submitted to the legislature by the administration, provided for a drastic reduction in personnel and also for increased local taxation. The tax proposals included increased business license fees, increased corporation license fees, and increased automobile license fees. In- creased license fees were also proposed for the municipality of St. Croix. It is the objective of the administration to obtain as much revenue as possible to provide necessary funds for efficient operation of administrative departments and public institutions. In this con- nection, efforts will be made to obtain Congressional support for an expert survey of the local tax structure and a study of the local govern- ment by an impartial agency. During the year, the local government received substantial contri- butions from the Congress in the amount of $745,000 in order to meet the expenditures of government. The total budgeted expenditures of the municipal governments of the Virgin Islands amounted to $2,055,988. To meet these expenditures, a total of $1,241,190 was raised from local taxation and $745,000 appropriated by Congress. Transfers and contributions from other funds and loans made up the difference. Budgeted expenditures of the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John amounted to $1,230,888. A total of $886,071 was raised through local taxation, and $279,200 allocated from the Federal deficit appro- priation. Transfers and contributions from other funds, and tempo- Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands 4- 5 rary loans, made up the difference. The municipality ended the fiscal year with a deficit of approximately $40,000 due chiefly to a substan- tial reduction in yield from trade taxes, customs dues, and fees from steamer tickets, as against the estimated income from these sources. It is interesting to note that in 1940 the actual revenue collections in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John amounted to $227,798, while in 1950 a total of $886,071 was collected, an increase of 288.97 percent in the 10-year period. However, during the same period public expenditures increased 309.30 percent. In the municipality of St^ Croix, a total of $355,118 was raised from local taxes. The allocation of $465,800 from the Federal deficit appropriation enabled the municipality to meet its total budgeted ex- penditures of $825,100. The actual revenue collections of the munici- pality of St. Croix in 1940 amounted to $175,944, while for 1950 the collections were $355,118, or an increase of 101.84 percent for the 10-year period. Public expenditures increased 178.15 percent during the same period. The appropriation for the expenses of the central government of the islands was $227,069, and for the agricultural station $50,000. Federal grant-in-aid allotments were $75,559 for public health, $120,- 259 for crippled children, maternal and child health, and child welfare programs ; and $91,791 for airports. A modern system of post-audit of governmental accounts was insti- tuted during the year by the recently established office of the public auditor for the Virgin Islands. In the preliminary work, a great deal of revision in accounting and reporting procedure was required. A complete study of the administration of public finances in the Virgin Islands is anticipated during the next fiscal year. Among the ob- jectives to be pursued are centralization of procurement procedures and accounting and financial reporting, revision of the accounting system, and utilization of mechanical accounting equipment in the Department of Finance. Real Property During the last quarter of a century there has been a tremendous increase in the value of land, particularly in the island of St. Thomas, furnishing conclusive evidence of unprecedented community growth. On this island alone, the assessed value of real property has increased over $4,000,000 during the past 25 years. This upward trend in the value of land has been brought about chiefly by the demand for choice building sites on the hilltops overlooking the city. In the municipal- ity of St. Croix, where the economy is chiefly of an agricultural nature, land values have also spiraled upwards, but not at the same rate. For the calendar year 1949, the total assessed value of real property in the 919463—51 2 6 -^ Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands Virgin Islands was $12,948,694.21 as compared with $8,054,513.68 ten years ago. Because of the great demand for sites for residential construction, it may be stated in a general way that land is often sold for three times its assessed valuation for tax purposes. Assessments, however, are being revised to accord with this trend and a complete reassessment has been planned for 1951 in all islands. During the year 293 transfer documents covering real property valued at $420,665 were recorded. With the spectacular increase in the value of land there has been a gradual concentration of ownership in a small percentage of the total population. Approximately 5 percent of the population owns over 80 percent of the land, and the balance is widely distributed among homesteaders and small land owners. Most of the idle land is con- centrated in the 5 percent group who for the most part acquired title by inheritance and either lack the means to develop or prefer to see the land remain idle. In St. John, 65 percent of the land is owned by absentee landlords and is undeveloped. The question of greater distribution and utilization of land for productive purposes has been long a matter of grave concern to the local government. Realizing the importance and urgency of this problem, discussions have been initiated with community leaders. By the close of the year a committee had been selected to study the problem and submit a report with recommendations. It is evident that in order to attain the goal of greater self-support and self-dependence, con- sideration must be given to tax measures which will hasten the devel- opment of unused but potentially usable land for community growth and increased revenues. Housing Considerable preliminary work in connection with the anticipated large-scale housing program in the Virgin Islands was initiated by the Virgin Islands Housing Authority created by insular law. The Au- thority applied to the Public Housing Administration for and re- ceived a program reservation for 350 units of low-rent housing. This reservation covers the first 2 years of a 6-year program to construct a total of 1,050 units of low-rent urban housing at a total cost of ap- proximately $3,150,000. The program reservation was approved by the Public Housing Administration along with a preliminary loan of $115,000 for planning. A planning consultant was employed to pre- pare master plans for the cities of Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, and Frederiksted, with the aim of gTiiding the future growth of these cities, and integrating the housing program with a well-considered general development of the communities. An application was also made to the Public Housing Administra- tion for an initial cajoital grant of $400,000 for planning a program Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands ^ 7 of urban redevelopment and slum clearance, the over-all cost of which will amount to $2,475,000 in loans and $910;000 in grants. A program reservation of capital grant monies for preliminary planning was approved in the sum of $266,350. An application was also prepared for 725 units of rural nonfarm public housing and for a preliminary loan of $95,000 to cover planning costs. In order to expedite this housing and redevelopment program, the Congress was requested to enact legislation authorizing the Virgin Islands Housing Authority to issue 40-year bonds and to accept municipal utilities constructed with federal aid as sponsorship for redevelopment projects. Personnel Administration Under a merit system law of the Legislative Assembly, a pay plan for all employees of the local government whose positions are in the classified service went into effect on July 1, 1949. This added strength and meaning to the classification plan which was adopted a year earlier. The pay plan was adopted to bring about an objective and systematic determination of pay for municipal employees based on equitable principles. A minimum salary for local government em- ployees of $600 per annum was established. Throughout the fiscal year there were 1,139 classified and 1,077 unclassified and emergency employees—the latter group comprised of casual and unskilled labor—in the insular government service. Of the total number of classified employees, 343 render services in medical, public health, and sanitation activities, 287 in public educa- tion, and 188 in public works. Due to layoffs to be instituted early in the next fiscal year, the number of classified employees will be reduced, particularly in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John. Some 614 persons sat for competitive examinations during the year, with 578 passing. The examinations were based upon analyses of job requirements. The director of personnel was assigned to assist officials of the Virgin Islands Corporation in formulating the preliminary studies incidental to the establishment of a personnel policy for appointed employees of that agency. The director of personnel attended the annual conference on Public Personnel Administration sponsored by the Civil Service Assembly of the United States and Canada. The deputy director of persomiel pursued a course of study during the academic year 1949-50 at Syracuse University on a scholarship awarded by the Foresight Foundation. His services will be devoted to investigating the results of existing personnel policies, procedures, and methods of operation with the objective of formulating improved practices. 8 -f Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands Agriculture The future outlook for improved and expanded agricultural activi- ties in the Virgin Islands is encouraging. Upon the recommendation of the Department of the Interior, with the concurrence of the Depart- ment of Agriculture, Senate bill 2809 and House bill 8357 were intro- duced in the Senate and House of Representatives providing for the transfer of all agricultural functions in the islands to the Department of Agriculture. By the end of the fiscal year the Senate Agriculture Committee had reported Senate bill 2809 favorably, and it is expected that this legislation will be passed by Congress during the next fiscal year. This transfer would enable the agricultural program in the Virgin Islands to be supervised by agricultural experts, expanded in a rounded program, comparable to that normally carried on by the Department of Agriculture in continental United States. Due chiefly to the recruitment of a full staff, the agricultural ex- tension service in St. Croix was improved. The staff now consists of two extension agents, a veterinarian, and a home demonstration agent. The outstanding accomplishment of the year was the initiation of a 4-H club movement. There are now 9 clubs with a total enrollment of 421 boys and girls. Over 100 club meetings were held, and a great deal of interest in projects has been demonstrated by the rural youth. The climax of 4-H activities for the year was the completion of plans for two youth delegates from the island of St. Croix to attend the 1950 Regional 4-H Camp. The extension program in St. Croix was directed toward educating the farmer to diversify his crops with emphasis on feed crops for livestock and food for home use. Sugar cane cultivation based on modern methods and practices which tend to increase the yield were also stressed. Some 34,000 vegetable plants were distributed at cost to farmers. Much interest in beautifying home surroundings resulted in the distribution of over 4,000 assorted ornamentals. Attention was also given to agricultural economics, including educational work on farm recordkeeping, individual farm planning, and extension program planning based on economic needs. In St. Thomas and St. John six 4-H clubs were organized with a total membership of 182 boys and girls. The services of the public health nurse were extended to the rural families through the coopera- tion of the extension agent. Farmers were supplied with seeds, slips, insecticides, baby chicks, hatching eggs, and different types of serv- ices through the special revolving fund for agricultural development. Under local law the extension agent served as plant quarantine in- spector and made a total of 859 inspections covering approximately 800,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables imported from the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. In addition, the extension agent Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands"^-*- 9 made over 700 visits to farms during the year and attended 62 meetings relating to agricultural activities. Due to tlie topography of the island of St. Thomas, and its suscepti- bility to the dangers of erosion, the crop farmers are being encouraged to promote better land use by placing emphasis on fruit and fiber production. This system would offer better land use because the trees will control erosion, can withstand the effects of drought, and can be cultivated without expensive terracing. The fruit trees rec- ommended are improved banana, plantain, mango, avocado, papaya, and citrus. The fiber plant that should be raised is bull tyre (Sabal Blackburnia) because of its demand for the making of hats, bags, and other items of handcraft. To reduce the dependence on vegetable production, and to provide a well-balanced agricultural economy,, plans include the raising of livestock. Existing pastures should be improved and additional grazing areas provided through clearing bush land in order to support dairy cattle and produce the cattle, goats, and sheep imported annually from neighboring islands as the chief source of meat for local consumption. Through the Soil Conservation Service, farmers in the Virgin Is- lands received technical assistance for the establishment of soil and water conservation plans. This service is made available by the United States Department of Agriculture. The extension agents cooperate with this program by encouraging the farmers to adopt the recommended practices. The local supervisors of the soil con- servation district were furnished a bulldozer which is being used suc- cessfully for clearing of farm lands and roads. Another agency of the Department of Agriculture, the Production and Marketing Ad- ministration assists by paying cash dividends to farmers who success- fully adopt soil and water conservation methods. The Farmers Home Administration makes available short and long-term loans at low interest rates so that soil conservation and other farm plans may be put into practice by farmers whose progi^ess might be handicapped by inadequate finance. With all agricultural functions being trans- ferred to the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agri- culture, a more integrated progi^am for expansion of the agricultural phase of the local economy is envisioned. Commerce and Shipping Although the value of goods imported into the Virgin Islands dur- ing the calendar year 1949, $9,967,225, was a slight increase over the value of imports in 1948, $9,465,562, there was a marked increase in the value of exports in 1949, $2,501,056, as compared with $1,698,037 for 1948. It is significant to note that machinery and vehicles ac- counted for $1,093,221 of the total imports. 10 -f Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands A total of 99,482 tons of sugar cane, as compared with 45,252 tons last year, was harvested by the Virgin Islands Corporation. This was the largest crop of sugar cane ever produced by the Virgin Islands Corporation. Some 10,752 tons of sugar was produced, as compared with 4,579 tons in 1949. Through improved processing the sugar yield in 1950 was 10.86 as compared with 10.12 the preceding year. In addition, 548,087 gallons of molasses were produced, as against 287,066 gallons in 1949. Due to the fact that the Federal law chartering the Virgin Islands Corporation prohibits it from manufacturing or selling Tum, arrangements were made during the year to dispose of the corpo- ration's rum and molasses stocks, and for the leasing of the distillery to private enterprise. A total of 634,000 proof gallons of alcoholic beverages was exported from St. Thomas as compared with 386,915 l^roof gallons in 1949. In St. Croix 27,943 proof gallons of alcoholic beverages were exported as against 57,333 proof gallons in the pre- ceding year. While the number of heads of livestock exported from the Virgin Islands remained at approximately 1,200, the amount of dried hides exported increased from approximately 75,000 pounds in 1949 to 92,788 pounds in 1950. Shipments were made chiefly from the island of St. Croix to the island of Puerto Rico. Efforts are being made to reopen the Puerto Rican market for chilled dressed meat from St. Croix, which will make possible the activation of the modern abattoir in St. Croix which has been lying idle for many years. During the fiscal year 1950, a total of 335 commercial ships with a gross tonnage of 1,794,697 entered the port of St. Thomas, as com- pared with 298 ships and a gross tonnage of 1,603,374 in 1949. Two ships of the Furness West Indies Line resumed calling regularly at St. Thomas during the year. This steamship service had been dis- continued during World War II. The Delta Line ships have discon- tinued calling at St. Thomas primarily because of favorable bunker fuel prices at New Orleans. Unfortunately, the bauxite trade which used to account for about 10 percent of the island's shipping was also temporarily discontinued. The last ship was loaded at St. Thomas in November 1949. Despite these reverses, there was a slight increase in shipping as compared with 1949. Another effort was made to have funds appropriated by Congress for the much-needed project of dredging the harbor of St. Thomas author- ized since 1937. As the year closed, it appeared fairly certain that a million dollars would be appropriated for this project before Con- gress adjourned. This harbor improvement is vitally necessary. Seven of the fifteen cruise ships that called at St. Thomas during the winter season with tourist passengers had to anchor outside the harbor. This necessitated bringing the passengers to shore and Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands ^ 11 returning them to the ship in small motor launches, a long and tedious procedure which does not help in encouraging the tourist trade. The Rivers and Harbors Bill of 1937 authorized this im- provement of St. Thomas Harbor to provide an entrance channel 36 feet deep and generally 600 feet wide including removal of Scorpion Rock to that depth, an anchorage area of 33 feet depth, and a break- water. The Rivers and Harbors Bill for 1950 included authorization for harbor improvements for St. Croix consisting of an approach channel 25 feet deep and 300 feet wide, a turning basin of the same depth, 600 feet wide, and 900 feet long, provided the Interior Depart- ment constructs an adequate deep water terminal. Equgation In November 1949 a subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee visited the Virgin Islands and held hearings on various matters including public education facilities, teacher training, and the need for vocational training. These hearings provided valu- able information which assisted in the passage by Congress of a bill extending the provisions of the Vocational Education Act of 1946 to the Virgin Islands. Under this Federal program for vocational education, the Virgin Islands are now eligible for a maximum grant of $40,000 per annum on a 50 percent matching of municipal funds. For several years the local government has been making persistent efforts to impress the Congress with the need of these islands to obtain Federal funds to assist in the program of vocational education. It is expected that the new program will become effective enrlj in the next fiscal year. Enrollment in the public schools of the Virgin Islands totaled 4,604 as compared with 4,401 in 1949. Of this number, 2,030 students were enrolled in the elementary schools and 889 in high school in St. Thomas. In St. Croix, 1,241 were enrolled in the elementary schools and 444 in high school. Expenditures for public education in the Virgin Islands totaled $535,590, of which $114,147 were made avail- able by the Federal Government primarily in support of the veterans' education program. Approximately 300 veterans availed themselves of the opportunity for educational advancement through the veterans' education program. The public kindergartens, which are the outgrowth of the nursery schools, were effectively administered during the year. In St. Thomas there was an enrollment of 306 children of preschool age. A success- ful program of in-service training conducted by a specially trained supervisor resulted in a faculty of better trained teachers. A total of 11 students were assisted by scholarship loans to enter colle£:e in continental United States. Because the highest education 12 -f Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands available in the Virgin Islands is on the high school level, local stu- dents are forced to leave home for further educational advancement. Aside from the costliness of this procedure, the students also encounter the difficulties of strangers in a new environment. Efforts should be made to make at least 2 years of post-high school training available in the Virgin Islands. The possibilities of establishing a junior college in the islands will be investigated. A summer session was held under the direction of the Polytechnic Institute of Puerto Rico from July 7 to August 10, 1949. Courses were given in biological science and the teaching of science. This summer session was sponsored by the teachers' institute of St. Thomas. At the end of the fiscal year, plans were under way for the New York University to conduct a workshop ift anthropology in the islands. Sixty students from all over the United States are expected to come to the islands to attend this workshop. The courses will be available to local students a'lso. In addition to the intellectual advancement to be obtained from this workshop, achievements in human relationship are also anticipated. Nearly 2,500 children participated daily in the school lunch pro- gram in St.' Thomas. Approximately 500,000 meals were served at an average cash cost of 19 cents. Substantial contributions of food items were made by the United States Department of Agriculture. Agriculture was added to the curriculum of the high school in St. Croix. It is anticipated that this course will be expanded and im- proved when funds are made available under the Vocational Edu- cation Act of 1946. For the first time in the school history of the Virgin Islands, the college entrance examination board set up an examination center. The center was established in St. Croix at the request of the "Hands Across the Sea Scholarship Award Committee" of St. Croix, a group of public-spirited citizens who have voluntarily contributed the funds for a scholarship. Eleven students were granted scholarship loans from municipal funds. The results of the exami- nation were gratifying. The parent-teacher associations in St. Croix were active during the year. The Frederiksted association became affiliated with the National Congi-ess of Parents and Teachers. With funds made available by the Virgin Islands Corporation, nurseries were operated by the Department of Education. Attendance in the public schools averaged 92.75 percent. Approximately 1,500 children participated in the school lunch program. The sum of $3,529.97 was contributed by the children themselves toward the program. Up to 1936 the medium level of education of all teachers in service in the Virgin Islands was the equivalent of completion of the ninth grade. In 1950 the level is completion of high school. Several teachers in the service are college graduates and some have had 1 or 2 Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands > 13 years of post-high school training. The next objective in this respect IS to raise the minimum qualification to 2 years of post-high school training. OvercroAvded classrooms and inadequate physical facilities continue to be among the chief problems of administering public edu- cation in the Virgin Islands. It is hoped that during the next fiscal year effective advancement will be made towards relieving this situa- tion. It is commendable to note that despite these handicaps all children of school age in the Virgin Islands are receiving formal edu- cational instruction, and the percentage of illiteracy in the population of 26,654 is less than 10 percent. Activities of the St. Thomas public library, as well as the public libraries in Christiansted and Frederiksted, were carried on efficiently, but without any notable improvements to record, the chief needs still being more ample funds to augment their services and for training of librarians. Many valuable items were added to the Virgin 'Islands collection. A summer story hour was again conducted in St. Thomas. Health and Sanitation Each municipality of the Virgin Islands comprises a public health- medical care unit. There are five full-time doctors in St. Croix. There are six doctors in St. Thomas, who also attend to St. John through bi-weekly visits. Inability to secure replacements reduced that number to four during the year. Provision is made in the budget for a pediatrician to cover both municipalities, but this position was unfilled during this year. These doctors render nearly all the service in the islands, there being only one doctor more in each municipality who conducts a part-time private office. All doctors are general practitioners. Some render specialized services in general surgery, gynecology, and obstetrics as well. A psychiatrist alternates weekly visits to each municipality. An orthopedic surgeon makes weekly visits for 3 weeks in each month to St. Thomas which is the designated hospital for all orthopedic surgery. Once every 2 months he visits St. Croix to hold a clinic. Plastic surgery is done by contract in Puerto Rico. Besides the hospital, ancillary services are provided through public health nursing, nutrition, health education, medical and psychiatric social work, mental health, sanitary engineering, and dental divisions. Although the disposal of nightsoil, like garbage collection, is not a function of a health department, this is included in the sanitary services of the department. During the calendar year 1949 there were 888 births in the Virgin Islands, an increase of 6.6 percent over 1948, when there were 829. The birth rate for 1949 was 35.7 ag^ainst 33.3 in 1948. An outstanding achievement is the fact that 64 percent of all births occurred in the hospitals. The chief causes of death during 1949 were diseases of 919463—51 3 14 -^ Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands the heart (26.7 percent), general arteriosclerosis (8.8 percent) and the pneumonias (7.4 percent). It is interesting to note that 41 per- cent of all deaths occurred in the age group 65-75, and 25 percent in the age group 75 and over. There were 363 deaths during the calendar year 1949 with a death rate of 14.6 representing an increase of 5.5 percent over 342 deaths with a death rate of 13.7 occuring in 1948. Like the general mortality rate, the infant mortality rate for 1949 was higher than that for 1948, there being 83 deaths in 1949 with a rate of 93.4 compared with 74 deaths in 1948 and a rate of 89.2. Pre- maturity accounted for 22.9 percent of infant deaths, diarrhea and enteritis for 19.3 percent, and the pneumonias for 15.7 percent. Still- births were reduced from 25 with a rate of 30.1 in 1948 to 20 with a rate of 22.5 in 1949. However, the maternal mortality rate for 1949 was 3.4 as against 2.4 in 1948. A fairly widespread inoculation program was carried on in the well-baby clinics. As a result of such inoculations an outbreak of whooping cough in St. Thomas was effectively controlled. All in- fants of 2 months and over who attend the well-baby clinics are offered diphtheria and tetanus immunization along with inoculation against whooping cough. Nearly all mothers agree to this inoculation pro- gram. It is obligatory by law that all children of school age be vaccinated against smallpox. Dry skimmed milk was made avail- able through all well-baby clinics as a means of counteracting wide- spread malnutrition. There is evidence which indicates that the incidence of tuberculosis in the Virgin Islands has been greatly reduced. This has been sup- ported by mass X-ray surveys throughout the islands. All known open cases of tuberculosis are hospitalized. A BCG program has been planned for the next fiscal year under the direction of the United States Public Health Service. Through the venereal disease control program, the incidence of syphilis has been decreased to about 5 percent. Typhoid fever has not been present except in an occasional imported case. A cancer control program is augmented through the active assistance of the School of Tropical Medicine in Puerto Rico. Indigent cancer patients are sent to the Cancer League Hospital in Puerto Rico for treatment. During the year efforts were made to obtain additional training and experience for nurses. Three nurse-midwives received 12 months of orientation training in obstetrics in continental United States. A public health nurse attended a 16-week observation program at the Detroit Public Health Department. An X-ray technician of St. Thomas is now pursuing a 1-year course in Eochester, N. Y. Mem- bers of the medical and public health staff attended regional and national meetings and conferences. The establishment of a statistics Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands > 15 division will be given further impetus as a result of a year's training in public health statistics now being undertaken by the statistician in tlie United States, Services were rendered in public health education, nutrition, mental hygiene, and medical social work, all important phases of public health activities. These are relatively new services which should improve and expand in the future. The Sanitary Code, passed by the Legislative Assembly of the Vir- gin Islands early in 1949, has been implemented by the Municipal Council of St. Thomas and St. John through the approval of neces- sary rules and regulations. These regulations will go into effect on July 1, 1950. The Municipal Council of St. Croix had not approved the necessary regulations up to the end of the fiscal year. Although the installation of salt water and sewer systems has been substantially completed, there is grave concern that unless the legis- lative authority compels by law the connection of homes to the mains they Avill for a long time represent useless capital investments. The utilization of these facilities will mean the difference between a back- ward undeveloped a-rea with all the indices of poor sanitation and a progressive developed area comparable in living standards to similar regions on the mainland of the United States. While the general health of the Virgin Islands community is good, there are several phases of public health which should be improved. There are two modern abattoirs in the islands, one in St. Croix and the other in St. Thomas. The one in St. Thomas has been leased by private enterprise and will go into operation in July 1950. The ulti- mate objective is to have all meats used in the islands slaughtered and processed at these modern plants. Milk sanitation remains primi- tive, although at the end of the year a modern pasteurizing plant was nearing completion on St. Croix. The mosquito-control program in St. Croix, inaugurated with Federal funds, was continued during the year with municipal funds. It has resulted in the elimination of the aedes aegypti mosquitoes. These are the mosquitoes responsible for the transmission of yellow fever and filariasis. A less intensive spraying program has been in operation in St. Thomas and St. John. With an increasing demand for medical services, the need for mod- ern hospital facilities is greatly emphasized. It is hoped that at least preliminary planning for new hospitals under the Virgin Islands Public Works Program could be initiated during the next fiscal year. Social Welfare The Virgin Islands were fortunate to be included in the provisions for public assistance and old age and survivors insurance of the new Social Security Act. These welfare programs will bring tremendous 16 > Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands benefits to the people of the islands, and are greatly appreciated. A. better understanding of the welfare problems and needs of the islands was obtained when a subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee visited the islands and held hearings on the local applica- tion of the Social Security Act. Over $55,000 of local funds were provided for public assistance expenditures in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John during the fiscal year. The public assistance case-load increased from 584 persons in the previous year to 022 in 11)50. The average monthly grants was $6.47, about the same as in 1949. The Queen Louise Home for the Aged, under the supervision of the social welfare department, functioned during the year with an average of 16 inmates. The Corneiro Home, which was bequeathed to the municipality under a trusteeship, was fully occupied to its capacity of 25 rooms, one for each tenant. The enrollment at the Mandahl School for Boys dropped from 44 to 35. This reduction was due to strong efforts to return the boys to normal homes and connnunity environment as soon as they proved themselves prepared for such transfer. A complete set of orchestra instruments, a piano, and a Victrola were obtained by the School through generous contributions made by public-spirited citizens in New York City. An orchestra is now being organized. Six girls were taken care of at a subsidized foster home. In St. Croix a total of 500 needy persons received monthly cash grants averaging $6.95 as compared with 460 cases in 1949 receiving monthly assistance in the amount of $6.70. The Kingshill Home for the Aged in St. Croix had an average occupancy of 137 inmates. The Virgin Islands Commission on Children and Youth, established under a recently enacted Legislative Assembly act, was particularly active during the year studying the problems of children in the Virgin Islands community. A Virgin Islands Committee for the Presi- dent's White House Conference on the problems of youth, integrated with the above Commission, has also been functioning. It is ex- pected that the islands will be well represented at the White House Conference scheduled for December 1950. Police and Prison Administration A great deal of emphasis was placed on traffic control and pedes- trian safety. The police directors and police judges in the Virgin Islands made a brief survey of traffic control and enforcement of motor-vehicle regulations in the island of Puerto Rico, in order to determine effective methods and procedures that could be practically applied to the problem in the islands. During the calendar year 1949, a total of 1,454 cars and trucks and 17 busses were registered in the Virgin Islands. Some 2,221 drivers Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands ^ 17 were licensed during the year. The development of the tourist trade is considered one of the chief reasons for the large number of motor vehicles in the islands. At present there are 219 taxicabs. The num- ber of motor vehicles is increasing every year, and tends to complicate the regulation and control of traffic, especially on the narrow streets of Charlotte Amalie. In St. Thomas a total of 324 complaints of traffic violations were filed in the courts and conviction secured in 265 cases. There were 279 vehicular highway accidents during the year, as compared with 242 in 1949. Seventy persons were injured, and three killed. At the same time the number of motor vehicles registered increased to 833 from 769 registered in the previous year. Of 89 cases assigned to the local bureau of identification and investigation, 77 resulted in arrests and 12 were pending at the close of the fiscal year. Last 3/ear 90 cases were handled by the bureau. In all, 974 criminal cases were filed in the courts, as compared with 969 in 1949. Of these, 300 were for violations of motor vehicle regulations and 200 for disorderly conduct. Convictions were secured in 720 cases. The juvenile aid bureau, with a policewoman in charge, handled 153 cases of individ- uals under 21 years of age, who were referred or apprehended because of behavior difficulties or anti-social acts. Of these, 95 were adjusted by the bureau, 37 referred to the courts, 9 transferred to the Social Welfare Department, and 12 were pending at the end of the year. Activities of the police athletic league included opening of a youth center, an amateur boxing tournament, and sponsorship of Christmas parties for underprivileged children in the three islands, made pos- sible by substantial contributions of The Virgin Islanders of New York City, a group of public-spirited continental American citizens residing in New York. During the fiscal year 1950, a total of 349 arrests were made by the police in St. Croix, as compared with 130 in the previous year. Of these, 112 were for disturbance of the peace, 85 for juvenile delin- quency, and 63 for violation of motor-vehicle regulations. At the close of the fiscal year there were 36 prisoners at the central Eichmond Penitentiary, as compared with 17 in 1949. Twenty of these were from St. Thomas and 16 from St. Croix. The personnel of the police departments received the benefit of a refresher course in police science under the able instruction of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Instruction in the use of explosives and nontoxic gases was also given by experts of the Chemical Warfare Unit, United States Army, stationed at St. Thomas. Tourism With the appointment of a full-time director, the activities of the St. Thomas Tourist Development Board were considerably intensified 18 -f Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands and expanded. One of the first activities was to urge the calling at St. Thomas of transatlantic liners on West Indian cruises during the 1949-50 winter season. The port of St. Thomas was included in 15 of the 22 West Indian cruises operated during the season. These cruise ships brought 7,692 passengers and 9,859 crew members. Sta- tistics gathered for St. Thomas only indicate that approximately 36,000 persons came to the island during the fiscal year, contributing an estimated $1,797,566 in tourist revenue. In an effort to publicize the Virgin Islands as an all-year round vacation spot, 25,000 copies of a tourist folder were printed and dis- tributed in the United States to important travel agents, steamship, and airline offices in principal cities. In addition, 1,000 copies of a travel agents' handbook on the Virgin Islands were printed, covering general description, hotel and guest house data, and other pertinent information on the islands. This handbook has proven to be an ac- curate and up-to-date source of information for people interested in visiting the islands. Several excellent articles on the islands appeared in various magazines and in the travel sections of some of the larger newspapers. The activities of the Tourist Development Board also included the sponsorship of a chauffeur-guide school and efforts to establish a hotel training school. As a member of the Caribbean Tourist Interim Committee a repre- sentative of the Virgin Islands attended the inaugural meeting of the Committee held at Trinidad, B. W. I. ^In St. Croix, expansion of the tourist trade was also indicated. By the end of the year, efforts were being made to extend the activities of the St. Thomas Tourist Develepment Board to the island of St. Croix. The chambers of commerce in both municipalities are extremely active in tourist as well as industrial promotion. Public Works The administration of the 10-million dollar Virgin Islands Public Works Program was transferred to the jurisdiction of the United States Department of the Interior and assigned to the Office of Terri- tories. This brings the local government closer to the immediate im- plementation of this program. During the next fiscal year, efforts will be made to have the street and highway projects assigned to the local public works departments. The operation of the new salt water sewer and fire protection system has been assigned to the public works departments. With the addition of two new trucks for garbage disposal and the enforcement of the new sanitary regulations, it is expected that the public works department will be more successful in removing garbage Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands -- 19 from the city of Charlotte Amalie during the next fiscal year. During periods of drought the department was called upon to haul and deliver over 600 tons of potable water to private individuals. In addition, the hospital, public schools, and other public institutions were supplied with water from the public reservoirs. Standpipes from the public reservoirs were opened three times weekly for the purpose of making water available to the general public. When the new potable water supply system is completed, its operation will be assigned to the public works department in both municipalities. A total of 106 building permits were issued in St. Thomas for nearly $500,000 worth of private construction. Other permits were issued for electrical, sanitary, and water installations. A total of 108 per- mits for sanitary installations and sewer connections were issued, an increase of approximately 50 percent over the number issued during the previous fiscal year. Other routine work of maintenance and repairs of public buildings, surveys, etc., were carried on by the department. There were 23 fires, none serious, in St. Thomas during the year, resulting in property loss estimated at only $2,000. In St. Croix public buildings were repaired by the public works department ; some dredging was done at the water front in Christian- sted and roads and streets repaved. There were eight grass fires in the rural areas in St. Croix, and two fires in Christiansted which resulted in approximately $1,000 worth of property damage. Fifty- eight building permits were issued for construction, approximating $175,000 worth of private construction, and nine permits for sanitary installations and sewer connections. Public Utilities During the year the conversion of the electrical system on the island of St. Thomas from direct current to alternating current was com- pleted. Efforts to secure six power units from Army surplus in the Caribbean Area did not culminate successfully. An application is under preparation for a substantial loan from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in order to extend the system to cover several rural districts and to provide additional power units. With the San Jose project, a chemical warfare unit of the United States Army, abandoning the facilities of the former naval submarine base, plans were being made by the end of the year for the St. Thomas Power Authority to take over the operation and maintenance of the power plant. In February 1950 a referendum was held in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John to determine by a plebiscite what were the sentiments of the people in regard to municipal ownership and opera- 20 -- Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands tion of the electric light and power system. The results indicated that a majority of the people were in favor of municipal ownership and operation. In St, Croix conversion from direct current to alternating current was substantially completed in both towns by the end of the year. Contracts were awarded for the installation of modern telephone facilities in St. Thomas and St. Croix. Federal funds for this much- needed improvement have been made available under the 10-million- dollar Virgin Islands public-works program. Labor and Labor Relations Despite the fact that a department of labor has not been created in the Virgin Islands, considerable attention is given by the local wage and hour divisions and the workmen compensation commissions to the activities and problems of labor. During the fiscal year, the first local wage and hour law was enacted for the municipality of St. Croix, providing the following minimum wages: utility worker, 15 cents per hour; sales and service clerk, 20 cents per hour; unskilled labor, 30 cents per hour; semi-skilled labor, 40 cents per hour; and skilled labor, 50 cents per hour. There has been a local wage and hour law in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John since 1941. Here, too, the minimum wage rates were increased during the year as fol- lows: utility worker, 20 cents per hour; sales and service clerks, 30 cents per hour ; unskilled labor, 40 cents per hour ; semi-skilled labor, 50 cents per hour; and skilled labor, 65 cents per hour. Overtime wages computed at one and one-half times the regular rate are paid after a work-day of 8 hours or a work-week of 44 hours. In the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John 116 cases under the local workmen's compensation law were handled, resulting in awards aggregating $12,777.70, as compared with 194 cases handled in 1949 with awards aggregating $6,446.33. In the municipality of St. Croix 38 cases were handled by the Com- pensation Commission and a total of $2,001.66 was awarded, as compared with 29 cases handled in 1949 and $808.38 awarded. During the fiscal year a Labor Relations Act was enacted for the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John. This law provides that the workmen's compensation commission shall serve as a labor relations board. It is considered a progressive step in ameliorating unwhole- some conditions arising out of industrial disputes and establishes a sound basis for better human relationship between labor and management. New minimum wage rates were established under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act from a low of 15 cents for hand-sewing and hand-weaving operations to a high of 40 cents for numerous operations Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands ^ 21 including banking, real estate, bay rum manufacturing, construction, public utilities, and shipping and transportation. Virgin Islands Cooperative The Virgin Islands handcraft cooperative in St. Thomas continued to operate as an economic asset of the community. During the year nearly 400 persons earned over $27,000 producing straw-work and needle-work for the cooperative. As a result of the increased tourist traffic to the island during the winter season, sales to visitors were almost quadrupled in comparison with such sales during the previous winter season. Sales including mail orders for the fiscal year totaled over $47,000. The production and sale of native handcraft could be greatly ex- panded in the islands. Demands for quantity orders are increasing. However, there has been a lag in production to meet such demands due to the fact that the tyre palm, the basic material for straw work, is not grown extensively in the Virgin Islands and has to be imported from the neighboring French West Indian islands. In order to ex- pand the activities of the cooperative, it is imperative that arrange- ments be made to cultivate the tyre palm in the Virgin Islands, and that additional instruction and guidance be given to new workers in handcraft. Legislation The Virgin Islands were fortunate to have the Eighty-second Con- gress consider favorably several bills of insular importance. The Vocational Education Act of 1946 was extended to include the Virgin Islands. The benefits of the Nation-wide slum clearance and rede- velopment program were also extended to the Virgin Islands. In ad- dition, the Federal Airport Act and the new Social Security Act were made applicable to the Virgin Islands. Although introduced near the close of the fiscal year, there are good indications that the appro- priation for harbor improvements will be passed. A bill to transfer the agricultural activities in the Virgin Islands from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Agriculture, and a bill to extend the National Guard to the Virgin Islands are under consideration. Unfortunately, favorable consideration was not given to the pro- posal to return to the local treasury the internal revenue taxes collected on products exported from the Virgin Islands to the continental United States. This single measure would contribute more than any other to the program of self-support and self-dependence, initiated by the present Administration. The move to provide Guam and Samoa with organic acts seems to have raised considerable question in regard to territorial representation in the Congress. Thus the 22 ^ Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands possibility of legislation being enacted to provide a resident com- missioner for the Virgin Islands seems remote. Nevertheless, the local government will make every effort to have this favorably considered during the next year. No session of the Legislative Assembly of the Virgin Islands was held during the early part of the 1950 calendar year due to the fact that a new Governor was appointed and inaugurated just about the time the session should have convened. However, in accordance with the Organic Act a session of the assembly was called to convene during the month of August. The municipal council of St. Thomas and St. John passed 162 bills and resolutions during the fiscal year, 7 of which were vetoed. One bill repassed over the Governor's veto was submitted to the President of the United States, in accordance with procedure set forth in the Organic Act. The President supported the Governor's veto. Out- standing among the bills passed were the municipal labor relations act, and an amendment to the local wage and hour act increasing the minimum wage rates. Several resolutions were passed naming public parks, recreation areas, and highways after outstanding local citizens and prominent officials. Among them was a resolution naming the airport at St. Thomas the "Harry S. Truman Airport," and another resolution naming the "Charles Harwood Highway" in honor of a former Governor of the Virgin Islands. In St. Croix the municipal council passed 83 bills, 4 of whicli were vetoed by the Governor. Outstanding among them was an ordinance to defray transportation expenses of veterans to travel to continental United States for vocational or academic training, and the first local minimum wage and maximum hour act for this municipality. A resolution was passed naming the "David Hamilton Jackson Park" in Christiansted in honor of the outstanding legislator, labor leader, and judge, now deceased. Political Advancement Since the enactment of the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands in 1936, the people of the islands have been progressing rapidly toward poli- tical maturity. Before the passage of the Organic Act the people were stifled from expressing their opinions on public affairs and in selecting their legislative representatives due to income and property qualifications for voting. The chief contribution of the Organic Act to political progress in the islands has been through the establishment of universal suffrage. Since 1938 the islanders are eligible to vote on being able to read and write the English language. Virgin Island- ers are citizens of the United States. They have a Bill of Rights which includes the basic provisions of the Bill of Rights of the United States Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands ^ 23 Constitution. They have legislatures which are vested with broad legislative powers. They do not yet elect their own governor, nor do they have the privilege of voting for the President and Vice President of the United States. In 1936 there were only 1,489 voters in the Virgin Islands. With the first general election held under the liberal provisions of the Or- ganic Act in 1938 the number of voters was considerably increased. In 1948 there were 5,509 registered voters in the islands, and every election year the number is increasing. Realizing the need for further advancement in self-government, the Legislative Assembly of the Virgin Islands in 1944 created by resolu- tion a committee to study the Organic Act and recommend revisions. This committee worked vigorously on the assignment for several years, holding public hearings in the three islands and studying every phase of the act in the light of current local conditions and political aspira- tions. Included among the recommendations were provisions for a single legislature for the Virgin Islands in place of the three legisla- tures created in the Organic Act, a single treasury, a Resident Com- missioner to represent the islands in the Congress, and the return to the local treasury of the internal revenue taxes on articles produced in the Virgin Islands and exported to the United States. The work of the Organic Act Reform Committee was followed up by a referendum on most of these basic questions which was held in 1948. The question of popular election of the Governor was also included in the referendum. Unfortunately, the referendum was held at the same time as the general elections for members to the municipal councils. It is believed that the activities of the political campaign conflicted with and subordinated the issues of the referendum and resulted in less than 60 percent of the voters wlio took part in the gen- eral elections casting ballots in the referendum. Thus the returns of the referendum indicated a majority of the voters opposed to all the basic issues of revision, except the provision for Resident Commis- sioner. It is proposed to hold another referendum on these important issues next year. Considerable progress, nevertheless, has been made in the field of political advancement. In 1950 the first Virgin Islander was ap- pointed Governor by the President of the United States. This is construed as a significant step in recognizing the ability of the people of the Virgin Islands to govern themselves. For several years most of the important positions in the government have been held by qualified Virgin Islanders, and the trend is toward greater local participation. Conclusion One of the chief objectives of the present administration is the attainment of a practical and effective approach to the goal of greater 24 -^ Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands self-support and self-dependence for the Virgin Islands community. Historically, the Virgin Islands have drifted along with a very un- favorable trade balance and on deficit financing. Under such condi- tions it has been virtually impossible for the islands to establish a sound economy which is essential for further advancements in self- government. The present administration is committed to a program of reducing and eventually eliminating deficit financing, and encourag- ing the establishment of new industries and commercial activities which will improve the local economy. The following quotation from the inaugural address of the first Virgin Islander as Governor, depicts the present economic outlook for the islands and the approach of the local government to these problems : I cannot emphasize too strongly the importance of self-support and self- dependence. We must make every effort gradually to reduce our dependence on the Federal Government. Our limited economic resources may make this a truly difficult goal and one which may take some time to achieve. In the attain- ment of this objective, we shall expect that the Federal Government will treat us the same as our brothers on the mainland and in Puerto Rico by making us eligible to receive all social security, educational, health, and welfare grants on the same basis as other American citizens. We shall ask Congress to grant us the simple justice of returning to us the internal revenue taxes which Puerto Rico has enjoyed over a period of many years. But we must not ask for and expect these benefits without actively supporting in these islands those measures which will bring us closer to the goal of self- support. We need the tourist dollar. We need to cash in on increasing con- tinental interest in business enterprises. We need small industries. We need to produce more food and to import less. We need to provide more and better local handcraft. A^isitors to these islands want to take back home distinctive local products. We need credit facilities. Our more prosperous citizens need to have more faith and confidence in the future of these islands, and to express that faith in active political as well as financial participation in local affairs and enterprises. Those objectives cannot be accomplished unless our people provide the same degree of efficient and interested service as is offered in other American com- munities, unless we provide training opportunities for our young people to raise their own standards and those of the community, unless our communities can offer the skills which are necessary for them and promote opportunities for such skills to be used here rather than elsewhere. With hard work and intelligent and painstaking efforts on the part of the people of the Virgin Islands, with an understanding by the legislatures and all local groups that every effort must be made by Virgin Islanders to depend more on themselves and less on the boun- ties of the United States ; and with the sympathetic and active support of the Congress, and the cooperation of the Department of the In- terior, it is believed that considerable progress can be made in attain- Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands -- 25 ing the goal of greater self-support and self-dependence for the Virgin Islands of the United States. Such economic progress is possible (1) through increased local food production, (2) establishment of an all- year tourist program, (3) establishment of small industries, and (4) economy of government. Preliminary totals of the Virgin Islands for the Seventeenth Decennial Census, 1950 Enumeration district Population Number of farms Number of dwelling units Christiansted city Frederiksted city Christiansted country Frederiksted country Country district of St. Croix Municipality of St. Croix Charlotte Amalie city Country district of St. Thomas St. Thomas Island St. John Island Municipality of St. Thomas and St. John Virgin Islands of the United States 4,110 1,925 2,343 3,718 6,061 12, 096 11, 463 2,348 13, 811 747 14, 558 26,654 2 233 290 523 525 7 197 204 108 312 837 1,497 718 654 1,157 1,811 4,026 3,416 641 4,057 264 4,321 8,347 Rainfall in inches, 1949-50 ^ July 1949 August September. _. October November... December. _. January 1950 St. Thomas 3.82 3.69 10.25 7.76 2.28 2.10 3.40 St. Croix 1.98 3.73 8.98 6.63 5.72 6.70 4.23 February... March April May June Total St. Thomas 4.64 .60 2.66 .84 1.72 43.76 St. Croix 2.35 3.62 2.55 1.93 57.90 1 1949-50 average for Virgin Islands, 50.83 inches. 10-year rainfall record JLear: inches 1941 34.60 1942 47.81 1943 47.53 1944 46.42 1945 36.40 Year—Continued inches 1946 32.52 1947 33.71 1948 41.62 1949 42.11 1950 50.83 26 > Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands Police department statistics Type of complaint Virgin Islands 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 Assault Assault and battery Aggravated assault and battery Assault with intent to kill Burglary Carrying of concealed weapon Disorderly conduct Disturbance of the peace Embezzlement Forgery Gambling Grand larceny Lewd and lascivious conduct Malicious wounding of animal Manslaughter, involuntary ._. Murder, first degree Petit larceny Possession of property unlawfully obtained Possession of unlicensed guns Robbery Slander Statutory rape Trespass Vagrancy Violation of automobile ordinance Violation of firearm ordinance Violation of firework ordinance Violation of game ordinance Violation of liquor ordinance -. Violation of police regulations Violation of prostitution ordinance Violation of sanitary regulations Violation of school law Violation of venereal disease ordinance All others Total 7 99 25 1 7 4 258 110 1 20 3 1 48 6 3 28 4 35 144 2 2 219 4 49 8 15 5 82 44 1 4 1 221 66 1 2 38 5 4 1 1 4 37 3 19 3 30 4 224 67 2 69 5 9 147 12 98 36 4 13 2 202 112 3 9 30 2 1 7 17 2 12 2 21 6 18 15 363 3 18 69 49 6 191 1,199 1,323 Institutional statistics, department of health, 1949-50 Christian- sted Frederik- sted Leper Asylum Kings Hill Home Charlotte Amalie Beds Bassinets Average occupancy Peak occupancy Minimum occupancy Number of physicians Number of graduate nurses Average salary Average number of student nurses. _. Average salary of student nurses Number of student nurses graduated Other employees Total salaries Equipment Subsistence Maintenance Average ration rate per day Total budget (mmiieipal) Cost per patient per day Receipts (bills sent) Actual cash receipts Births in hospital Births out of hospital Deaths in hospital ._ Admissions to hospital Sick days in hospital Admissions to clinic Dispensary treatments 73 12 43 70 23 3 14 $1, 478. 50 7 687. 42 1 26 $45, 418. 00 7. 209. 00 15, 200. 00 11, 759. 00 .447 $79, 577. 00 4.746 926. 70 2, 508. 61 118 71 58 1,355 16, 766 1,005 3,376 01 10 42 42 26 2 14 $1, 520. 50 8 663. 00 1 24 $51, 312. 40 1, 400. 00 13, 600. 03 10, 511. 50 .71 $75, 437. 90 6.20 809. 00 1, 143. 55 122 24 71 1,125 12, 382 689 6,485 (1) 137 147 138 (') 5 $1, 519. 20 11 $7, 420. 00 800. 00 10, 000. 00 5, 750. 00 .691 $23, 940. 00 2.376 24 $22, 980. 00 700. 00 23, 000. 00 5, 792. 00 .371 52, 472. 00 1.028 2 3 10, 072 23 38 51, 020 111 20 112 130 101 6 15 $1, 482. 00 2 780. 00 83 $106, 228. 33 4, 000. 00 32, 500. 00 33, 121. 67 .49 $175, 850. 00 3.60 10, 382. 30 12, 951. 40 360 197 122 2,340 40, 875 8,239 31, 442 1 Part time. Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands Distribution of local government employees according to occupation 27 Occupation St. Thomas and St. John St. Croix Virgin Islands Clerical Administrative Supervisory Professional Subprofessional Public safety Inspectional Equipment operators Trades and labor Housekeeping Food Service Engineering Unclassified, casual labor. Ill 15 36 146 56 50 4 59 122 55 50 1 21 105 28 29 1 27 72 63 31 1 159 23 57 257 194 118 81 2 1,139 1,077 Grand total, Virgin Islands. 2,216 Real property statistics 28 Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands Comparative statement of revenues of the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John for the fiscal years 1940, 1945, and 1950 Revenues 1940 1945 1950 Real Property tax Income tax Gasoline tax Auto license fees Trade and lamp tax Net revenues from customs Taxes on inheritance Court fees, etc Stamp dues Fees from steamer tickets Burgher briefs, etc Pilotage fees Internal revenue taxes Trade tax From pay patients, municipal hospital... Fees collected by custom house Passport fees Night soil removal service Annual license fees Miscellaneous Taxes on amusement and entertainment. Total 506. 74 236. 21 675. 90 713. 99 $63, 902. 63 941, 090. 47 10, 200. 56 7, 602. 81 435. 27 436. 92 077. 04 050. 94 054. 00 918. 48 998. 85 759. 04 065. 64 523. 74 97.00 485. 80 027. 85 735. 16 12, 900. 00 1, 94V 87 6, 090. 19 2, 895. 04 2, 476. 00 11, 989, 30 4, 470. 72 43, 783. 26 5, 143, 10 136. 00 2, 932. 66 19, 107. 36 227, 798. 57 1, 136, 661. 97 $81, 631. 29 398,111.23 27. 490. 31 13, 547. 56 17, 400. 00 656. 87 9, 838. 36 4, 731. 90 14, 948. 75 15, 712. 47 29, 977. 27 195, 512. 43 12,951,40 5, 993. 85 57, 561. 58 6.52 5, 071. 79 Comparative statement of revenues of the municipalitv of St. Croix for the fiscal years 1940, 1945, and 1950 Revenues 1940 1950 Real property tax Income tax Auto tax Gasoline tax Import duty Export duty Ship dues... Wharfage Stamp dues Vendue fees and percentages Taxes on inheritance. Fees from court and police Fees from burgher briefs Excise duty Internal Revenues Fines and confi^ations Revenues from prison Support of leper asylum Support of insane asylum Support of King's Hill Home Support of Richmond Penitentiary Returns from sanitary work Corporation fees Fees from customhouse Passport fees Miscellaneous Telephone service Total $53, 11, 6, 8, 5, 33, 3, 3, 2, 487. 94 428. 83 887. 90 497. 08 545. 30 549. 39 358. 51 164. 49 439. 16 87.77 462. 54 485. 91 175. 00 61.5.88 030. 05 361.00 677. 55 033. 38 177. 51 624. 22 493. 73 478. 43 747. 19 109. 85 55.00 436. 86 534. 12 175, 944. 59 $53, 660. 06 391, 075. 63 7, 352. 64 9,4.34.15 239. 13 556. 68 172. 80 329. 58 1, 968. 84 141.82 3, 285. 14 4, 452. 84 8. 050. 07 11, 666. 50 1, 692. 12 1. 225. 10 813. 32 362. 72 5, 576. 66 1, 829. 56 747. 19 6.01 4, 224. 27 6, 520. 39 515, 383. 28 $71,431.71 73, 212. 75 12, 130. 92 19, 452. 63 3, 500. 41 443. 77 1, 461. 90 2, 564. 73 3, 426. 54 762. 20 5, 850. 07 7, 287. 09 36, 184. 08 73, 916. 54 1, 138. 50 3, 954. 61 7, 326. 78 5, 471. 62 1, 171. 50 461. 14 12, 267. 16 11,702.25 355, 118. 90 Statement of major departmental appropriations for fiscal year 1950 and percentage of total budget Department Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands ^ 29 Table of revenues and expenditures on a per capita basis 30 -- Report of the Governor of the Virgin Islands Voting statistics REGISTERED VOTERS 1948 St. Thomas: Town Country St. John... St. Croix: Christiansted town... Christiausted coimtry Frederiksted town Frederiksted country. Total 525